Observed Signal · May 29, 2026 · Ratings Report · Source: Adweek · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Week of May 18 Cable News Ratings: Mixed Results
Adweek’s TVNewser published Nielsen Big Data + Panel ratings for the week of May 18, 2026, showing mixed results across basic cable news networks during a Memorial Day holiday weekend. Fox News led in several measures, averaging 2.260 million primetime viewers (207,000 A25-54) and 1.501 million total-day viewers (138,000 A25-54), with small week-to-week demo gains but a -1% primetime total-viewer decline. MS NOW and CNN posted varied week-to-week changes: MS NOW averaged 918,000 primetime viewers (81,000 A25-54) and CNN averaged 598,000 primetime viewers (108,000 A25-54). Fox News held 13 of the 15 most-watched shows for the week; The Five was the top program with 3.543 million viewers. Year-over-year comparisons showed Fox down, while MS NOW and CNN grew substantially versus the same period in 2025. The article was published May 29, 2026.
Routine weekly cable news ratings provide tactical audience data for media planning but do not represent industry-shifting news.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Fox News averaged 2,260,000 primetime total viewers and 207,000 A25-54 viewers for the week of May 18, 2026 (Nielsen Big Data + Panel).
- Fox News averaged 1,501,000 total-day total viewers and 138,000 A25-54 viewers, with week-over-week total-day viewers up +2% and demo down -3%.
- MS NOW averaged 918,000 primetime total viewers and 81,000 A25-54 viewers; week-over-week primetime total viewers were +2% and demo -7%.
- CNN averaged 598,000 primetime total viewers and 108,000 A25-54 viewers; primetime total viewers were down -10% week-over-week while its demo rose +4%.
- Fox News held 13 of the 15 most-watched cable news show slots for the week; The Five was the top program with 3.543 million total viewers.
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Fox News and MS NOW Lead June 22 Cable Ratings
Adweek’s TVNewser published Nielsen Big Data + Panel national cable-news ratings for the week of June 22, 2026. Fox News averaged 2.223 million primetime viewers (187,000 A25-54) and 1.439 million viewers (126,000 A25-54) in total day; MS NOW averaged 1.025 million primetime viewers (86,000 A25-54) and 649,000 total-day viewers (59,000 A25-54). CNN averaged 622,000 primetime viewers (85,000 A25-54) and 446,000 total-day viewers (57,000 A25-54). Week‑over‑week percentage changes and year‑over‑year comparisons were reported for each network. Fox News occupied most spots on the weekly most‑watched programming list (The Five led with 3.303 million viewers). The report notes primetime viewership declines across networks for the week, citing seasonal factors and FIFA World Cup viewing as possible influences.
Cable News Ratings Rise Week of July 13, 2026
From July through September 2026, cable news viewership declined as the news cycle slowed, with all major networks experiencing month-over-month and quarter-over-quarter drops. Fox News remained the most-watched network, averaging 2.064 million primetime viewers in Q3, but suffered a 17% year-over-year decline. In September, Fox's primetime viewers fell to 1.717 million (down 19% from August), with a 42% yearly drop in the week of September 7. MSNBC, referred to as MS NOW, was the only network with year-over-year gains in both total viewers and A25-54 demo, increasing 16% in primetime total viewers and 37% in total day demo; in the week of September 14, it rebounded with 33% primetime viewer gains and 47% demo gains. CNN also showed yearly growth (up 13% in primetime total viewers) and gained 13% in primetime viewers that week. However, all networks saw yearly declines in total viewers except MSNBC and CNN, which grew slightly. Top programs included 'The Five', leading with 3.146 million total viewers, and 'Hannity', 'The Rachel Maddow Show', and 'CNN NewsNight' ranking high on their networks. The data, based on Nielsen big data + panel, sets the stage for Q4 as networks prepare for midterm elections and sports programming.
Week of April 13: Cable News Ratings Drop
For the week of April 13, 2026, Nielsen (Big Data + Panel) measurement shows the three major U.S. cable news networks — Fox News, MS NOW and CNN — posted week-over-week declines in total viewers and Adults 25-54 across primetime and total day amid a slower news cycle. Fox News remained the most-watched network, averaging the largest audience. Network averages and demo rankings shifted slightly week-to-week and versus the prior year, with mixed year-over-year gains and losses across the three networks. Top-program performance was led by Fox News’ The Five, which was the most-watched cable news show of the week.
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